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Regal Angelfish
Pygoplites diacanthus
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Pomacanthidae
📍 Indo-Pacific & Red Sea Reefs
Breathtakingly beautiful with alternating white-and-orange bars. Notoriously difficult to feed in captivity. Red Sea specimens generally adapt better than Pacific ones.
Care Guide
Diet
Regal Angelfish are obligate sponge specialists and notoriously difficult to feed in captivity. They require high-quality sponge-based foods, frozen mysis shrimp, and specialized angelfish preparations. Feed small portions once daily; Red Sea specimens typically accept captive diets better than Pacific-caught individuals.
Behavior
Regal Angelfish are semi-aggressive and territorial, particularly toward conspecifics and similar-shaped fish. They are active swimmers that patrol all tank zones but may hide in crevices when stressed. They are generally peaceful toward larger fish and invertebrates but will nip at soft corals and consume small crustaceans.
Breeding
Breeding Regal Angelfish in captivity is extremely rare and virtually undocumented in home aquariums. They require very large tanks (200+ gallons), stable conditions, and pairs that accept each other—most captive specimens are wild-caught and do not pair readily. Successful breeding would require expert-level husbandry and is not recommended for hobbyists.
Tank Mates
Similar reef habitat requirements; peaceful and unlikely to compete for sponge-based foods
Both are angelfish; monitor for territorial aggression, but different feeding niches reduce conflict
Beneficial symbiotic relationship; will not compete for sponge foods and may help with parasites
Peaceful algae grazer with different ecological role; unlikely to compete or show aggression
Bottom-dwelling, non-aggressive species that occupies different tank zone and feeding niche
Common Diseases
Ich (Cryptocaryon irritans)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, flashing against rocks, lethargy
Raise temperature to 26-27°C, perform 25% water changes, use copper-free ich treatments; quarantine if possible
Marine Velvet (Amyloodinium ocellatum)
Fine gold or rust-colored dust on skin, rapid gill movement, loss of appetite, scratching behavior
Increase aeration, lower salinity slightly (1.020 SG), use copper-free treatments, maintain excellent water quality
Feeding Refusal Syndrome
Complete loss of appetite, weight loss, lethargy, hiding behavior
Offer varied sponge-based foods, live foods, and frozen mysis; reduce tank stress; ensure stable water parameters; may require weeks of patience
Head and Lateral Line Erosion (HLLE)
Pitting or erosion on head and lateral line, loss of appetite, behavioral changes
Improve water quality, increase feeding frequency with quality sponge foods, add vitamin supplements, reduce stress factors
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Quick Facts
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- diet
- sponge specialist
- maxSize
- 10 inches
- salinity
- 1.023–1.025 SG
- minTankSize
- 100 gallons
- temperature
- 75–81°F (24–27°C)
Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C